Question
I have two young sarracenia plants and want to propagate them. Do you have any advice on what age to cut them and how to cut them?

Answer
Hi Carlee,

Sarracenia need to have at least 3-4 solid growing crowns before they are big enough to divide.  Rhizome division is the best means of asexual propagation for Sarracenia.  Leaf cuttings only works for a couple species, and then not very well.  I can't really give you an age at which a plant is big enough to divide because it is very plant by plant and depends on growing conditions.  Many plants grow at very different rates.  Here's an example.  A Sarracenia flava could be ready to divide in two years. A Sarracenia psittacina would probably take around 4 years to be large enough to divide.  Here's a good article on this:  http://www.carnivorousplants.org/howto/Propagation/SarraceniaDivisionSBS.php

We also have a great chapter on this topic in our volume #1 DVD where we show you step by step how to divide plants and give you pointers on things to avoid and look out for.  If you are new to growing North American carnivorous plants, the video can help you avoid the pitfalls and misinformation so common to new growers.  http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com/Grow-Carnivorous-Plants-DVD-1-p/01111.htm

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com